Spiritual Short Story
The Library of God – A Zen Story
It’s been some time since I wrote my last Spiritual Story, The Secrets of the Universe – A Zen Story, and my creative side is itching again to be expressed, so here is another zen tale to entertain and enlighten. To find my other spiritual short stories here on Mastery of Meditation & Yoga, just visit the Spiritual Stories category.
Spiritual Short Story – The Library of God:
The most revered building at No Wind monastery was a quiet, humble structure that stood at the outskirts of the grounds and boasted the sign, The Library of God. The monks knew this building was a special place, not only because they could feel the divine vibrations just by being near it, but also because all the special monks who Zen Master Blumise had allowed into the library, always came out enlightened.
The strange thing about the library though, was that no one knew which books it held. You see, whenever an enlightened monk emerged from the library, and was asked which books he/she had had the privilege to read there, the monk always just smiled and said, "You will see when your time comes". Of course, there were plenty or rumors about which books were in the great library. The original Vedas some said, perfect version of the Diamond Sutra said others, it was the purest Bible, the best Koran, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, etc, etc. In fact, the most recent rumor was that it was a special text left behind by a now extinct civilization! In short, the theories were many, but the facts were none.
All the monks worked very hard on their spiritual growth hoping to be picked to enter this sacred library. You see, it was well understood that only advanced monks, who were ripe for enlightenment, were chosen by Master Blumise and this was an opportunity the monks desperately wanted. Such a day finally arrived for Monk Shanti. She had spent many years at the monastery and Master Blumise now felt she was ready for the final step in her journey.
Shanti’s good friend monk Chin, wished her good luck as she stepped through the hallowed doors to spend the next few weeks in isolation in the legendary library. As she walked in, she was amazed by the overwhelming sacred atmosphere that permeated the entire building. The very air was holy and just being there, she felt the blessings of a thousand saints. In front of her was a great hall, "The Only Book You Need to Read", was etched above it’s entrance and in the center of the great hall, sat a silent zafu*. The silent zafu was the only object in the entire library. Shanti smiled as she as made her way to the zafu, her attention now fully focused on her mind and thoughts.
*zafu: zen meditation cushion
Analysis of the Library of God:
I cannot emphasize enough that the book you must read in this life is your own mind. In fact for enlightenment, it is the only book you really need to pay attention to. As Osho puts it, "My meditation is a method of being aware – of what ever you are doing, thinking, feeling. On all three layers you have to become aware." So today decide you are going to watch carefully everything that you think, feel and do. Today, decide that you are not going to miss. Today decide that you are not going to be lazy and make the effort required to stay vigilant (read: True Meaning of Laziness). Today you will watch each and every thought.
In zen there is a saying, "One Breath taken consciously is worth ten thousand taken unconsciously." So today be conscious. When you are aware of what is taking place within and without, you build a special energy in you. The more aware you are, the more this energy builds. The air in the Library of God was saturated with holy vibrations, for it had been home to this energy of awareness. In time, your place of spiritual practice will also be blessed in this way, and more importantly you too will be blessed in this way.
God Bless You!
Internet Resources for Spiritual Short Stories:
For more great spiritual stories, visit Chris Cade’s great free site Spiritual Short Stories.
For a collection of my best spiritual short stories and the top articles from Mastery of Meditation, you can check out my e-book Amazing Insights.
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Related Articles at Mastery of Meditation, Kundalini Yoga and Zen:
- Beauty & the Art of Meditation – A Zen Short Story
- The Secrets of the Universe – A Zen Story
- No Short Cuts to Enlightenment
- Index for Amazing Insights
- Free Online Yoga Videos Launched
